Mmm, so. I'm back again!
Finally keeping up with new art people are puttin' in, and that's good.
Let's see, oh! I recently acquired Gran Turismo 4 (Shut up, I know it's older) and Pokemon Ranger (Nintendo, you sly bastards, stop addicting me with your games), both of which are insanely good.
GT4 (ahahahaa looks like GTA somewhat 8D) is so completely over my head. To clarify, the racing games I've played mostly were:
Mario Kart 64 (N64)
Star Wars Episode 1: Racer (N64)
Burnout (GCN)
Burnout 2 (Xbox)
Burnout 3 (Xbox)
Burnout: Revenge (Xbox 360)
Mario Kart DS (DS)
Crusin' USA (N64)
Compare those to the gameplay and level of detail in Gran Turismo 4, and you'll see what I mean by "over my head".
However, the massive collection of cars (Game box says "Over 650"), and the fact that it's
fun combine to offset the somewhat steep learning curve for a newbie like myself.
At least I don't have to pay to repair my car.
That'd get expensive, with my driving.
Pokemon Ranger is just... wow. You don't even have to like Pokemon much to enjoy it, and playing the past games, while it'll help with recognition of Pokemon types and such, really isn't a requirement to understand its fundamentals- similar to the way that Pokemon: Mystery Dungeon and the plethora of mainstream Pokemon RPGs are pretty much plug-and-play for your brain. No previous knowledge required.
That said, Ranger is NOT for everybody. If you dislike using the DS stylus for any reason, than don't get Ranger, as the basic gameplay doesn't just benefit from the stylus- it
requires it.
For those who don't know, the game places you in the brand-new region of Fiore, where you arrive with the intention of becoming a 'Pokemon Ranger', a kind of all-purpose peacekeeper/police officer/Pokemon specialist. The game's guide says this: "A new breed of Pokemon specialist has arrived on the scene. These formidable Pokemon protectors are committed to one goal- protecting the inhabitants of the Fiore region, and making sure that the symbiotic relationship between Pokemon and people continues to exist in the most beneficial way possible."
The game doesn't take long before it introduces you to its capture system. Where in the standard RPGs, you captured Pokemon in various balls, in Ranger, the Pokeballs are done away with. In place of them is a very creative new device called the Capture Styler. This device controls a 'Capture Disc', which is what you'll be controlling with the stylus in-game. The method of capture is simple and yet complex, at the same time- using the stylus, draw loops around the target Pokemon without touching them until you capture them.
The complexity comes in many forms. First of all, different Pokemon require different amounts of loops. For example, Rattata and Seedot only require one loop to capture. Magnemite requires two, whereas Meowth requires five. Some Pokemon require quite a good number of the loops to capture; Snorlax requires 21, Psyduck 32(!), Metagross 30, and so on.
This is compounded by several things. Speed, for one; while Flygon only requires six loops to capture, its speed is incredible, making it extremely difficult to loop six times before it manages to escape. Pokemon can also attack your Capture Disc; the Styler only has so much health ("Energy" in-game), and while it can level up to increase both the length of the line you can draw as well as the size of the Energy bar, it does sustain damage from attacks, to varying extents. A Bagon, for example, might take off one or two bars with a single attack; Salamence, meanwhile, takes off around four bars with its attacks. On top of all this, some Pokemon- mainly water-types and Diglett/Dugtrio- can only be caught while surfaced.
How do you combat this?
Aside from timing and skill, the game assists you by providing you a "Partner Pokemon"- either Plusle or Minun, depending on the gender of your character. Along with your Partner Pokemon are Friend Pokemon- captures made while on a mission or adventuring. These Pokemon can assist you in various ways while in battle- for example, Plusle/Minun comes with the Discharge ability, which is charged by looping Pokemon, and when used, stuns most Pokemon temporarily, often long enough for you to get a good amount of loops in.
Sound complicated? It's not, really. Take my word for it- buy or rent Pokemon Ranger as soon as you get the chance!
Now then! Finally done with that.
Wonder if any of you people will read it.
I am on temporary hiatus from Final Fantasy XI with the goal of catching up on life in general. Davion is WHM66, RDM43, BLM34 if you want to look me up once I get back online. Leviathan Server.
In addition to all this, I should say that I have recently acquired a Cell Phone of fairly useful proportion. Note me if you want the number, but don't expect me to automatically hand it out if I don't know you from around DA.
itt: we return to devart after over a year
Thrilled
AND 
BECAUSE THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH THE SHIT. WHY ARE YOU READING THIS GO VISIT THEM AND SHOWER THEM WITH AFFECTION AAAAAAAAH.
Eager
Excited
